For President Donald Trump, accepting a free Air Force One replacement from Qatar is a no-brainer.

Instead, they got inside by sneaking malicious code into a software update pushed out to thousands of government agencies and private companies. Instead, they got inside by sneaking malicious code into a software update pushed out to thousands of government agencies and private companies. That hackers were able to exploit vulnerabilities in the supply chain to launch a massive intelligence gathering operation wasn't especially surprising. That can mean no single company or executive bears sole responsibility for protecting an entire industry supply chain. Supply chain protection will presumably be a key part of those efforts, and there is clearly work to be done.

FILE - In this June 14, 2018, file photo, the FBI seal is seen before a news conference at FBI headquarters in Washington. The U.S. government on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, said a devastating hack of federal agencies is likely Russian in origin and said the operation appeared to be an intelligence gathering effort. The assessment was disclosed in a rare public statement from the FBI and other investigative agencies. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)WASHINGTON – The number of federal agencies and private companies who learn that they have been affected by a massive Russian hack is expected to grow as the investigation into it continues, the U.S. government's chief counterintelligence official said Tuesday. So far, the list of agencies known to have been affected includes the Treasury, Commerce and Justice departments, among others.

(AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)WASHINGTON – Four weeks ahead of Election Day, senior national security officials provided fresh assurances about the integrity of the elections in a video message Tuesday, putting them at odds with President Donald Trump’s efforts to discredit the vote. “That's because of an all-of-nation, unprecedented election security effort over the last several years." The video was released as U.S. officials have revealed ongoing foreign efforts to interfere in the election, including Russian attempts to denigrate Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. "Despite these nefarious efforts, our election system remains resilient," said Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. “Rest assured that the security of the election, and safeguarding your vote is, and will continue to be one of our highest priorities,” Wray said.

Asked about the intelligence assessment Friday evening in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump appeared to dispute the idea that Russia was disparaging Biden. I think the last person Russia wants to see in office is Donald Trump because nobody has been tougher on Russia than I have ever, he said. But the president seemed to agree with the intelligence indicating China didnt want him reelected. Though U.S. officials allege that China has its own preference, Fridays statement did not directly accuse Beijing of election interference or taking action to prop up Biden. Instead, the statement said, China views Trump as unpredictable and does not want to see him win reelection.

The Democrats did not detail exactly what they want the administration to say. The Democrats' letter Friday was in response to a statement earlier in the day by William Evanina, the government's chief counterintelligence official. The statement said adversaries such as China, Russia and Iran are seeking to compromise U.S. private communications and infrastructure in campaigns. The statement was from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence panel. Democrats, including members of the Senate intelligence panel, have voiced concerns that an ongoing Republican probe into Bidens son, Hunter Biden, and his work in Ukraine would amplify Russian disinformation.